That was also why he didn’t have any friends. Maybe it was time he started paying attention.
“I… did I know that?” Gabriel asked.
“I didn’ttellyou, but I feel like it’s something most people figure out from all of the rainbow-colored shit I carry around.”
“I didn’t even notice.” Gabriel looked down at his lap, ashamed to admit that he really hadn’t been paying attention.
“Right, which is why I thought you were straight.”
“I was. Or… I guess I wasn’t, but… I don’t know.” Gabriel shrugged. “I want to say it’s just this one guy, but it’s also kind of not, and I’m very confused. I’m not afraid to be out, exactly.”
That was a lie, but it was one Gabriel was happy to stick to right now.
“You’re just in your questioning stage. I get it,” Alice said. “I’m not exactly a gay guru, but if you’ve got questions… I’m good at giving terrible advice.”
Gabriel laughed. At least she was being honest. “I’ll keep that in mind. Right now I’m just… at the start of something. I’m sorry for zoning out. Did you need something?” Gabriel asked, proud of himself for one of the smoothest subject changes he’d ever managed.
Alice gave him a look that suggested she knew exactly what he was doing, but intended to go along with it.
“I just wanted to know if you wanted anything while I’m at the coffee shop.”
“Oh, umm… I could probably use a coffee, actually. And maybe a muffin? Hang on.” Gabriel paused to grab his wallet out of his laptop bag, handing Alice a twenty-dollar bill. “I want to buy yours, too.”
Alice raised an eyebrow.
“It makes me feel better to know I’m not alone. Especially not alone in my own field.”
Alice laughed as she took the bill from him. “Dude, engineering is gay. All engineering is gay. We’re everywhere.”
Gabriel blinked at her. “I’ve never noticed,” he said.
“Because you weren’t looking. You’ll start noticing it now, trust me. White with no sugar, right?”
“Right, just like me,” Gabriel smiled wryly.
“Daydreaming about your boyfriend is pretty sweet,” Alice pointed out. “I’ll be back with coffee soon. I hope he’s cute.”
Gabriel smiled, thinking of Reid again. Cute wasn’t exactly a word he would have used, but in the way Alice meant it, Reid was definitely cute. And smart. And funny.
Pretty much perfect.
Gabriel couldn’t wait to get a chance to see him again. This time, he was going to ask for what he really wanted.
He could worry about whether or not he was ready to be out later.
